Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has responded to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo being rested after playing 90 minutes against Czech Republic.
The 2016 European champions got their campaign off to a winning start after coming from behind to defeat the Czechs 2-1 on Tuesday.
Ronaldo did not score in the first game and still managed to complete the entire game at the age of 39.
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However, Martinez has downplayed any fears that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has to be rested.
"Do you know how many minutes Cristiano played last season? He has experience, there was no other player in the history of football with six European Championships played," Martinez said, as per ESPN.
"It is important to understand what a player brings. Cristiano brings experience, brings goal opportunities, a way of opening up spaces.
"Cristiano is in the national team because he deserves to be here, just look at what he has done and what he has done in the last competitions.
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Despite not scoring on Tuesday, Martinez was full of praise for the former Manchester United star.
"He was very disciplined, worked hard and is a killer, a very important box player," he added.
"He opens up space. When Francisco [Conceicao] scored, the space opened up because Cristiano was in the area. We work with a focus and Cristiano is important for us, in what we try to do in the penalty area."